I've decided to start a series that captures all the wacky, funny tidbits or quotes that happened throughout the week that isn't enough to blog about each day, but important enought it should be written somewhere.
Day 1: Arrival in London
- We instantly fell in love with our London home. It is in a quiet cul-de-sac in a very busy location. Vic and I love the sunroom dining room. Chloe was amused by the mail slot on the door, just like in Harry Potter, and the roof top terrace just like in Mary Poppins. Isaac was amused by the texture of the wallpapers, and the switches at his crawling eye level at every electrical outlet.- My uncle's family visited us that night. I had not seen them for about 25 years. How cool is it to work at a company whose name can spell Ta Ma De. They have beautiful accents. "That's fantastic!" with a British accent is contagious -- Chloe's been saying that ever since.
Day 2: Hyde Park
- Chloe was really excited about riding the tube and still is, after a week. For the first 5 days, she insisted on standing (mostly because she can twirl around the post and freak out daddy by falling all over)
- I like the "Man-size" kleenex. It's like Kleenex napkin.
- Baby food selection sucks in the grocery stores. You can choose from 5 products. Alcohol, on the other hand, takes up at least 1 full aisle.
- Eerie how there are no babies or dogs around. When people see Isaac, their faces light up like they've never seen babies before.
Day 3: The museums
- Museum food is pretty good!
- Pigeons pigeons everywhere! Instant entertainment and chance to burn off steam!
- London has so many French people in London. Will there be lots of Brits in Paris?
Day 4: National Gallery
- Big Ben was as grand as in Peter Pan
- Thank goodness for scavenger hunts. Can't believe we went through almost the entire museum and found paintings from 13th to 19th century, within 45 minutes. There wasn't quite enough time read more than 3 words at each painting, but hey we found all the paintings on the map.
- Afternoon tea at the National Gallery was fun. Chloe: "Mommy, eating this tart is like licking bubbles!"
- One lady couldn't tear her eyes off Isaac until her friend told her Henri Rousseau is the exhibit, not Isaac. Isaac has been a real lady magnet, especially when he claps and laughs!
Day 5: London Transport Museum/ Covent Garden/ Harrods
- We hung out with our cousins and found that growing up in London may not be that different from in Canada. Lots of TV, playing in the yard, eating rice with everything, watching Mr. Bean...
- Considering the size of Harrods, their nursing room is a lousy chair in a tiny tiled cell by the diaper change area, behind the 1900 pound stuffed elephants, 700 pound baby dresses... The lady who worked there didn't even know where a baby can be fed and had to seek help. Babies are to be dressed, not fed??
- Chloe made her first purchase at Harrods -- Hello Kitty stickers for 50p!
- Isaac gets to explore in more places than we thought -- like on dirty carpets, stone pathways... That's what hand sanitizers are for. Just kick off the garbage in sight! Maybe that's why he can stand really well now and climb up stairs on his own, just within days of being here. Welcome out of the bubble Isaac!
Day 6: Westminster Abbey Organ Recital
- which was worse - me making Chloe sit through a 30-min organ recital at Westminister Abbey, or her doing the hokey pokey dance to Stravinsky's Firebird out of sheer boredom? Yes, I put away the iTouch too -- am I mean?
Day 7: London Eye, British Museum, Fortnum & Mason
- Isaac is fearless as long as he is held. He survived the deafening London Eye 4D experience, though the 3D glasses wouldn't stay on.
- It's eerie how many tourists have pictures of Isaac.
- Chloe about London Eye: "It's like riding in an airplane!"
- Chloe's highlight was the man in tuxedo giving her an owl chocolate at Fortnum & Mason
Day 8: Tower of London, St Pauls Cathedral, Pub Grub
- Pub food is surprisingly baby friendly (no not the ale). Isaac could have the fish, mashed peas, mashed potatoes, stewed beef, steamed veggies.
- Chloe: "Mommy I love you and Isaac very much. Should I marry you or Isaac when I grow up?"
- Chloe's highlight was the man in tuxedo giving her an owl chocolate at Fortnum & Mason
Day 8: Tower of London, St Pauls Cathedral, Pub Grub
- Pub food is surprisingly baby friendly (no not the ale). Isaac could have the fish, mashed peas, mashed potatoes, stewed beef, steamed veggies.
- Chloe: "Mommy I love you and Isaac very much. Should I marry you or Isaac when I grow up?"
